I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve seen photos from a wedding or party with the most eye-catching florals, only later to discover they were designed by the brilliant team over at Saipua (who else?!) These Brooklyn-based floral designers consistently put out the most lovely & innovative creations, and I’m particularly drawn to the way they use unexpected natural elements in arrangements. Each one has the most organic sense of movement and unique mix of colors. Which one is your favorite?

http://www.saipua.com/

This gorgeous bunch of tulips was a sweet surprise from A this weekend…they make me smile every time I walk in the front door!

Just added to my inspiration files: a HOT color palette of orange & flame red set against a stark white background. It’s modern, chic and undeniably stunning. Floral designer Ariella Chezar used parrot tulips, ranunculus, & poppies to craft the arrangements, and always-amazing photographer Meg Smith captured the scene to perfection. Spotted via Snippet & Ink.

Last weekend we trimmed the tree & hung the holiday decor, and living in our cozy winter wonderland for a few days has sent me into full-on Christmas mode. I’ve been playing carols, burning my pine-scented candle (to make it smell even more delicious), and making loads of hot cocoa. I did a pretty table centerpiece with crystal garlands & white votives, but kept feeling like it needed one more touch…a brilliant pop of red flowers to tie in the table with the other elements in the house. Perfect timing to stumble upon these gorgeous creations from Beautiful Blooms, via Style Me Pretty, and I even gained some last-minute floral inspiration for the holiday parties I’m planning! Classic & elegant, with a few unexpected touches…

I love how simple this is… anyone could pull it off! And the red lacquered vase makes such a bold statement.

This arrangement is really the one I fell in love with… natural elements like moss & baby pinecones are unexpected touches next to traditional amaryllis. Wintery perfection!

I adore red roses at Christmas, and a low, tight bunch like this is perfect for a dinner party centerpiece. I’d try scattering a few down a long table, and filling in with little white votives for a romantic glow.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! XO

I love the look of orange parrot tulips grouped in tight bunches down the center of the table, & kept low enough to allow my guests can see each other!  The zinnias and berries on the right are an unexpected combination, and lend a wonderfully old-fashioned charm to the table when arranged in a simple pitcher.

This petite arrangement of poppies, tulips, & ranunculus is dramatic and elegant, and I love the idea of using a jewel-toned wine glass as the vase.  I definitely want to scatter tons of gilded votives at the base of the flowers to cast a warm allover glow.

Just looking at ranunculus makes me happy, and this ombrè arrangement fades from light to dark, creating a wonderful sense of movement.  The weathered urn reminds me a bit of an overflowing cornucopia… the perfect touch to an abundant Thanksgiving feast!

Images: Top photo: Sunday Suppers; all others from Brides.

While visiting London last week, I had the chance to take a little step towards one of my personal dreams: learning to arrange flowers like a pro!  Now, I won’t claim to be able to step in for any of the incredibly talented florists I get to work with on my events… but I definitely gained a bit of creativity & skill to use on the arrangements for my living room!

It all started when I was exploring the Marylebone neighborhood, and passed by this breathtaking window display.  ”Jane Packer Flowers,” read the chic black & white sign… and of course I had to circle back and go inside.

The interior of the shop was just as heavenly.  I was surrounded by buckets of roses, peonies, tulips, hydrangeas, & sweet pea in creamy shades of white, beautiful porcelain vases, & innovative designs.  I picked up a pamphlet on the Jane Packer Flower School offered in London, Tokyo, & New York.  A chat with the salesgirl led me to discover the next day’s course on “Arranging Flowers for the Home.”  I was hooked!

The next day, I arrived for school on time and was handed my supplies: shears, twine, & a stylish little Jane Packer apron.

Our instructor was a total artist, and patiently taught us how to recreate Jane Packer’s signature hand-tied style of arranging classic bouquets.  You hold all the flowers in one hand, and rotate the entire bouquet as you go…

The first step in any arrangement is cleaning each individual stem so that it’s free of unwanted leaves & spotted petals.  A time-consuming step, but can certainly make or break a bouquet’s appearance.

Really though, how could you not make a gorgeous arrangement when given such gorgeous raw materials?  The roses & dahlias were in similar shades of pale pink, but their contrasting textures gave the bouquet lots of depth.  It was so much fun to leave with my gorgeous creation, and even more fun to practice my newfound skills at home!

Eva Longoria's Wedding Flowers, designed by Jeff Leatham

From an interview with Leatham in France Magazine: “Basically, I’m the John Galliano of flowers.” Settled comfortably into the plump cushions of a Louis XVI chair at the Four Seasons George V, Jeff Leatham matter-of-factly delivers the perfect analogy for his place in the world of floral design.”

Arrangement at Eva Longoria's Ceremony

Style-setting clients like Eva Longoria (who pegged Leatham as florist for her lavish wedding to Tony Parker), are drawn to his strong, architectural looks that often use a monochromatic palette to stunning effect.

Jeff Leatham arranging flowers at the George V Hotel

According to the description by France Magazine, his creativity knows no bounds: “Rather than merely adorning the George V with tasteful arrangements, he has practically turned the hotel into a fabulous backdrop for his daring creations. In fact, the word “arrangements” hardly begins to convey Leatham’s work; “installations” is perhaps more apt.”

Lobby of the George V Hotel in Paris

Recently, the space in front of a majestic mirror was occupied by 15 transparent four-foot-high vases holding up a sheet of glass, which in turn was topped by dozens of smaller vases filled with vara orchids, forming a stunning bright-purple carpet.  The entire composition took up about 100 square feet.

Wedding Arrangement by Jeff Leatham, via Olivier Lalin Photography

Love these simple yet striking clusters of peonies designed by Leatham for a wedding at the George V.  By the way, if you’re like me, you’re curious to know the hotel’s annual floral budget that allows them to refresh thousands of blooms hourly… reportedly, a cool one million.

Today’s inspiration board is shades of sunshine: butter yellows and pops of lemon against crisp white.  The mood is joyful and effortless, perfect for a party that celebrates those last carefree days of summer.  Think clusters of bright daisies and laughter over lemon drop cocktails, all set to a soundtrack of swinging sixties music… Good Day Sunshine, perhaps?

Images: {Row 1} Candlelight, Style Me Pretty; Macarons, Cannelle et Vanille; Yellow Centerpiece, Caplan Miller Events via Style Me Pretty; {Row 2} Valentino Shoes, Perfect Bound; Picnic Table, Frolic; {Row 3} Lanterns, Ritzy Bee; Lemon Centerpiece, Martha Stewart Weddings; Calligraphy, Laura Hooper.

Since I’m completely obsessed with Utterly Engaged, the genius new E-Zine dedicated to stylish, budget-minded weddings,  I wanted to share my favorite images from the newest issue.  What I love about Utterly Engaged is that it’s chock full of ideas that can be applied to any kind of party, and this French-inspired affair would be perfect for a bridal shower, birthday party, or al fresco lunch with friends.

Flowers (by JL Designs) are grouped into charming single-variety arrangements, and then bunched in milk glass and vintage vases.

Isn’t the bright yellow & green combo fresh? Invitation suite by the talented designers at D*LSH.

The gorgeous desserts are by Sweet & Saucy Shop.  Red Velvet Cake & Buttermilk Cupcake provide homespun sweetness.

And what to wear to such a romantic fete?  This ruffly confection of a dress by Morgan Boscilkov, of course!  Her line of eco-friendly gowns are not only socially responsible… they couldn’t be more luxuriously lovely.

Hurry over to Utterly Engaged to check out the entire new issue here.

One of the easiest ways to infuse a party with loads of personality is to choose one color and use it everywhere.  For a summertime soiree, nothing provides a pick-me-up quite like bright orange, and it’s a cinch to use it in food, drinks, decor, & a flirty party dress, of course! These sunny images show how this color du jour can be incorporated everywhere… get ready to get happy!

Row 1: Sweet Tart Cocktail, Brides; Pom-Pom Decorations, Martha Stewart.

Row 2: Clementine Place Cards & Bicycle Basket Bouquet, MS Weddings.

Row 3: Orange Tart & Carrot Cupcakes, Epicurious.

Row 4: Dress by Jean Francois Campos, Vogue India.

Row 5: Fizzy Drink Bar, MS Weddings; Orange Popsicle, Getty Images.

Row 6: Tulips & Apricot Place Cards, MS Weddings